Board of Trustees

List of 26 members.

Susan Berman Ph.D.

Dr. Susan Berman earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Purdue University. She worked as a licensed psychologist in private practice for 15 years, specializing in the treatment of children, adolescents, and families. She is now the owner of Proparent Coaching, LLC, where she consults as a parenting coach for issues such as helping parents to understand stages of child development, parenting through and after divorce, and setting appropriate boundaries.

Sue is an active community volunteer. She currently serves as on the Board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and as the chair of its Jewish Community Life Commission, and has held various leadership positions within this organization. She is also a current member of the Board of Directors of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. Sue served as Chair of the Governing Board of Hillel Jewish University Center of Pittsburgh 2008 – 2010. She was a member of United Jewish Community’s National Young Leadership Cabinet 1997 – 2003. She is a 2009 graduate of the Wexner Heritage Program, and currently serves with this organization’s National Alumni Council as Pittsburgh’s delegate. She has also served as a board member of the Pittsburgh Coaches Association.

Ellis Connection:Parent of a student in the Class of 2017

Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2013

Susan Block

Susan Jones Block is a native of Ohio, where she worked as a public policy aide for an Ohio Senator; the Speaker of the Ohio House; and former Governor George V. Voinovich. Mrs. Block also worked as a lobbyist in a Columbus-based firm. Since moving to Pittsburgh in 2002, Mrs. Block has been a full-time, community volunteer, serving on the boards and committees of numerous charitable organizations. She currently serves on the boards of the Paul and Dina Block Foundation and the Alan I W Frank Foundation. She previously served on the Board of the Pittsburgh Opera and the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Society, and was a member and past president of the Women’s Committee of Carnegie Museum of Art.

She has a B.S.S. from Ohio University. Her daughter Caroline is a member of the Ellis Class of 2025.

Appointed to the Board: 2014Ellis Connection: Parent of an Ellis student

Doreen Boyce Ph.D.

Doreen E. Boyceis one of Pittsburgh’s most recognized leaders in the areas of women’s issues and non-profit governance. She is a graduate and Honorary Fellow of Somerville College, University of Oxford. A consultant to non-profit boards, Dr. Boyce led the Buhl Foundation as its president for 25 years. She founded the Executive Women’s Council and the International Women’s Forum. She has been recognized as a Heinz History Center History Maker, Distinguished Alumna of the University of Pittsburgh, and a University of Pittsburgh Laureate. She taught at the Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg and was Provost and an economics professor at Chatham College for 17 years.

B.A., M.A., Somerville College, University of Oxford

Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

Other Boards/Organizations:

Carnegie Institute, Board Member

Carnegie Science Center, Board Member

DQE, Board Member

Dollar Bank, Director

Duquesne Light Company, Board Member

Franklin and Marshall College, Past Board Chair

Three Rivers Board of the National Association of Corporate Directors, Board Member

Ellis Connection:

Parent of a student in the Ellis Class of 1975

Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2010

Susan Brownlee

Mrs. Brownlee has been Executive Director of The Fine Foundation since 2007. Prior to The Fine Foundation she was Executive Director of The Grable Foundation, Director of Policy at the Allegheny Policy Council, and Associate Director of Partnerships in Education. She began her career in Pittsburgh as a teacher at the Winchester-Thurston School and then served as a teacher and director of the Ellis Middle School.M.B.A., University of PittsburghM.A. in European History, New York UniversityB.A. in English, Wellesley College

Margaret Conver

Ms. Conver recently retired as the Business Manager at the Chestnut Hill Academy, a prominent K-12 independent school for boys in Philadelphia. As an alumna, parent, and administrator, she is an extremely strong proponent of single-sex schools. B.S. in Business Administration (Management and Accounting), Bucknell UniversityCertified Public Accountant, Retired

Judith Davenport D.M.D.

Dr. Davenport practiced dentistry for two decades before her retirement in 2000. She was a consultant for United Concordia and a member of Highmark's Dental Review Committee. She is an active member of the community and is committed to improving the lives of others in health, education, and the arts. She is featured in the Mister Rogers first experience book, Going to the Dentist, and is co-founder and director of Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation, the only African-American owned-and-operated radio network in America. Sheridan's holdings include the American Urban Radio Network, with 400 affiliates across the country. Davenport has been the recipient of local and regional awards, including Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania in 2001. B.S., Pennsylvania State UniversityMaster of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public HealthD.M.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine

Elizabeth Genter

Ms. Genter is the President of Schenley Capital, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisory firm with $80 Million under management. She has a range of experience in investment management, insurance, estate planning, financial statement analysis, sales,and retirement planning. Ms. Genter is the Chair of the Board’s Development Committee.B.S., West Virginia Wesleyan CollegeM.S., University of Pittsburgh

Barbara Granito

Ms. Granito worked as a journalist for The Wall Street Journal where she was a staff reporter and a news editor for the Money and Markets section. Prior to that she worked at Dow Jones & Co. as the AP-Dow Jones Bureau Chief in Rome, Italy, and for Institutional Investor Magazine as a contributing editor in Paris, France, and New York City.B.A., Dartmouth College, summa cum laude, Senior Fellow

Joan Gulley

Joan Gulley joined PNC in 1993 as chairman and chief executive officer of PNC, New England, the company's Boston-based wealth management business. She has held a number of management positions at PNC including chief executive officer of PNC’s Wealth Management and Business Banking businesses. In addition, she was deputy manager of Retail Banking, responsible for consumer product management, segment management, marketing services, marketing research and knowledge-based marketing. Gulley also served as director of Strategic Planning for PNC. In August 2005, Gulley was named executive vice president of Retail Banking, where she led Retail marketing and product management. She was named to her current role in April 2008.

Before joining PNC, Gulley was senior vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston with responsibility for payments and securities services to New England Financial institutions. She was also national product manager for Federal Reserve System check services and had management responsibility for the Inter-District Transportation System operated by the Federal Reserve. During her 16-year career with the Federal Reserve, she held a variety of staff and management positions at the Board of Governors in Washington and the Boston Reserve Bank.B.A., Economics, University of RochesterAdvanced Management Program, Harvard Business School

Other Boards/OrganizationsPennsylvania American Water CompanyCarnegie Libraries of PittsburghChatham University (past Chairman of the Board)

Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2012

Charlie Humphrey

Before joining Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Mr. Humphrey was editor and publisher of In Pittsburgh, an alternative weekly paper. He has been a radio producer and announcer, and still does occasional voiceover work for film and other media.Whitman College

Susan Kalson

Susan Kalson is a lawyer with a background in health law and health consulting, Ms. Kalson came to Squirrel Hill Community Health Center (SHCHC) as an active member of Pittsburgh's Jewish Community. A third-generation Pittsburgher with a long family history of community involvement, Ms. Kalson oversees all SHCHC operations, including outreach and development, and is available to speak about the Center with community groups upon request. She has served in numerous leadership roles at Rodef Shalom Congregation and as its President 2004-2006.

Vivian Loftness

Ms. Loftness, a university professor in the School of Architecture at Carnegie Mellon University and former Head of School, is an internationally renowned researcher, author and educator with more than thirty years of focus on environmental design and sustainability, climate and regionalism in architecture, and design for performance in the workplace of the future. She has served on seven National Academy of Science panels as well as being a member of the Academy's Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment, and has given four Congressional testimonies on sustainable design. Her work has influenced both national policy and building projects, including the Adaptable Workplace Lab at the U.S. General Services Administration and the Laboratory for Cognition at Electricity de France. She received the 2002 National Educator Honor Award from the American Institute of Architecture Students and a 2003 Sacred Tree Award from the U.S. Green Building Council. She is the chair of the Board’s Facilities Committee.B.S., Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyM.Arch., Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyRegistered Architect

Blythe Lyons

Blythe Jones Lyons is a senior consultant with Energy Resources International, Inc., an energy-consulting firm established in Washington, D.C. Ms. Lyons has provided nuclear fuel cycle, nonproliferation, fossil fuel technology, and electricity policy consulting services to utilities, industry, nonprofit and academic institutions, and various national as well as state governments since the late 1970s. She co-authored with Senator Pete Domenici, A Brighter Tomorrow: Fulfilling the Promise of Nuclear Energy. In addition, Ms. Lyons co-wrote the book Choosing the Right School for Your Child: A Guide to Selected Elementary Schools in the Washington Area to help other parents with the difficult choice of finding the proper school for their young children. A dedicated Ellis alumna, Ms. Lyons has been one of the leading participants in Ellis’ National Board of Alumnae Visitors.

B.S.F.S., Georgetown University

Ellis Connection:

Alumna, Class of 1973

Member of Ellis’ National Board of Alumnae Visitors

Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2010

Kathleen McKenzie

Vice President of Community and Civic Affairs, West Penn Allegheny Health System

Kathleen K. McKenzie is Vice President of Community and Civic Affairs at West Penn Allegheny Health System. She supports the system’s external affairs department by providing strategic management of civic and community relations and serves as a key system liaison to individuals, organizations, and associations important to the system's interest.

Previously, Ms. McKenzie Served as Allegheny County Deputy Manager, responsible for Supervision and administration of the County’s operations. Ms. McKenzie was also responsible for major policy initiatives of Chief Executive Dan Onorato such as the Kane Committee, which is a committee to restructure four county nursing homes; the Parks Action Team, which established the first county parks foundation; and the Citizens’ Advisory Committee, to study the effectiveness and efficiency of county and city government. She was also a human resource manager for The City of Pittsburgh and she has more than 10 years of experience engaged in the private practice of law.

Ms. McKenzie completed a B.A. in government and law from Lafayette College. She also received her Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Ms. McKenzie is admitted to the Bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Territory of the United States Virgin Islands.

Ms. McKenzie currently serves on various community boards including the Pennsylvania Economy League, Local Government Academy, the International Women’s Forum, and the Chatham University PA Center for Women in Politics Advisory Board.

She resides in the Point Breeze section of the City of Pittsburgh with her husband and two daughters.

Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2013

M. Robert Mistick

M. Robert (Bob) Mistick, a graduate of Dickinson College, is owner and president of Mistick Construction Company, a general contracting firm specializing in residential construction and historic renovations. His company provides preconstruction and construction services to senior living associations, universities, housing authorities, and developers.B.A., Dickinson College

Ellis Connection:Parent of three students in the Classes of 2009 and 2013

Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2010

James Mitnick

Mr. Mitnick has been president and CEO of Ironwood Learning LLC since 2007. Prior to Ironwood Learning he spent 37 years with Turner Construction Company and was responsible for the development of the Turner Knowledge Network (TKN), an online learning platform that included Turner University and delivered nearly a million hours of learning on an annual basis. Mitnick is also president of the AEC CommuniteStore, which builds and hosts branded stores for companies in the architectural, engineering, and construction industries, and is president of Ironwood Development, which focuses on the digital distribution of electronic drawings for facilities managers, architects, engineers, and contractors. Mitnick received several awards from Chief Learning Officer magazine for innovation and integration of technologies. Ironwood was also was recognized by Training magazine as one of the top training organizations in the United States in 2005. B.S.C.E., Purdue University

James Morris , Jr.

Dr. James H. Morris is a Professor of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University. He attended several Pittsburgh schools including Mount Mercy (now Carlow), Cathedral Grade School (now closed), Shady Side Academy, and Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon). He received an MBA and Ph.D. in Computer Science from MIT. He taught at the University of California at Berkeley where he contributed to some important underlying principles of programming languages. While working at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, he was part of the team that developed the Alto System, a precursor to today’s personal computers. In 1983 he became a professor at Carnegie Mellon where he directed a joint project with IBM that developed a prototype university computing system, Andrew. Later, he served as a department head, then as dean in the School of Computer Science. He held the Herbert A. Simon Professorship of Human Computer Interaction from 1997 to 2000. Dr. Morris also was the founder and dean of the Carnegie Mellon University Silicon Valley campus as well as creating Carnegie Mellon’s Human Computer Interaction Institute, and Robot Hall of Fame. He has written columns for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Pittsburgh Quarterly where he won a Golden Quill award.

Courtney Muse

Ms. Muse began her advertising career in her native Ohio. There, she became a founding partner of Cincinnati advertising agency Cosgrove Pattison York Inc. before moving to Pittsburgh. She has worked with companies including H. J. Heinz, Kendall Futuro, and Chiquita, and now devotes her time to community projects and family.B.A. in History, Student Government President, Wheeling Jesuit University

Ellis Connection:Parent of students in the Classes of 2013, 2014, and 2016

Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2009

Sandeep Nangia

Mike Nangia has a bachelors of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Houston. He earned his MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and has worked on a variety of projects in many industries in management roles. He plays a central role in developing strategies in healthcare, technology and consulting services. He currently serves as Vice President of COS Strategy at NantHealth working in collaboration with several academic health systems. He is also a past board member of the Allegheny County Library Association and the Electronic Information Network (eIN). His daughter Shivani, Class of 2022, is a current Ellis Middle School Student.

Ellis Connection: Parent of an Ellis student.

Appointed to the Board 2014

Rona Nesbit

Rona L. Nesbit is the Executive Vice President of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. As the only female executive in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District and the only female executive vice president of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Rona Nesbit stands out as a leader not only in the arts community, but also in the business and professional services community for her excellent stewardship of the financial resources for one of the largest arts and redevelopment organizations in the region.

Ms. Nesbit is responsible for managing the finances of the Cultural Trust, which operates The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts; Byham Theater; Harris Theater; O’Reilly Theater; Theater Square complex; Wood Street Galleries, SPACE, and 707-709 Penn Galleries; and the Trust’s Arts Education Center, among other arts venues. The Cultural Trust is a private non-profit organization established in 1984 to assist the cultural and economic growth of downtown Pittsburgh and the surrounding region through the development of the Cultural District, encompassing the 14 city blocks linking Point State Park to the Convention Center. The Trust’s Annual Operating Budget is approximately $51 million.

Ms. Nesbit oversees the budgeting for the Cultural Trust programming divisions which include PNC Broadway Across America Series, Pittsburgh Dance Council, Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents, First Night Pittsburgh, JazzLive, Three Rivers Arts Festival, and Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater and Festival. Additionally, she is the key administrator for the Tessitura project of the Cultural District, the largest consortium of arts users for the multi-million dollar ticketing software system that processes the orders for more than two million visitors annually.

Previously, Ms. Nesbit was the Vice President and CFO of Sutersville Lumber Company, a family-owned-and-operated chain of retail lumberyards and home centers. She also managed healthcare finance from both the perspective of insurer (Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield) and provider (Allegheny General Hospital), after beginning her career in public accounting.

Other Boards/OrganizationsWomen’s Center and Shelter of Greater PittsburghPittsburgh Irish and Classical TheaterAssociation for Retarded Citizens of Westmoreland CountyNational Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Women and Girls FoundationCORO Pittsburgh, Bridgeway CapitalHill House AssociationPittsburgh Chapter of the Gannon University Capital Campaign (co-chair)Habitat for Humanity

Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2012

Timothy Parks

Director of Business Development and Marketing, Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

Mr. Parks is Director of Business Development and Marketing for the global law firm Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP. Mr. Parks is responsible for expanding the firm's corporate transactional practice. In the past, Mr. Parks served as the President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance (PRA), president of the Pittsburgh Technology Council, and the Pennsylvania Technology Council, an industry coalition that advocated for an entrepreneurial, innovative, and growth-driven agenda for Pennsylvania. He has also served in an advisory role in the creation and refinement of more than a dozen regional and state technology associations, including the Eastern Technology Council, the Northern Virginia Technology Council, and the New Orleans Technology Council. B.A. in History, Duke UniversityM.P.A., University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

Margot Pyle

A retired investment executive, Margot C. Pyle served as a trustee of The Dedham Institution for Savings and Family Service, Dedham, MA, and has been active in Town of Dedham politics, serving on a number of committees. She has also developed an expertise in independent schools through her role as trustee of Trinity Pawling School in New York. Her commitment to all-girls education is emphasized by her graduation from and ongoing service to Smith College.

Other Boards/OrganizationsThe Dedham Institution for savings and Family Service, Past Board MemberTrinity Pawling School, Board Member

Ellis Connection:Alumna, Class of 1952Member of Ellis’ National Board of Alumnae Visitors

Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2010

Amanda Sauer

Colleen Simonds

Colleen Simonds led a career in the fashion industry that grew quickly from 1999 to 2010, when she left full-time work to pursue graduate studies. Her management work culminated in her role as divisional merchandise manager for J. Crew, a job which meshed her creative and mathematical skills. A member of The Ellis School’s National Board of Alumnae Visitors since 2009, Simonds lives in New York City where she is currently enrolled in an interior design program at the Parsons School of Design. Simonds is the 1995 recipient of Ellis’ prestigious Oliver Cup. B.A., Duke UniversityEllis Connection:Alumna, Class of 1995Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2011

William Strickland , Jr.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Bill Strickland's young life was deeply impacted by the influence of an art teacher he had in high school. Bright, driven, and capable, the young Strickland wanted to get out of Pittsburgh and make a difference in the world, but he was just a teen, living in the poor part of town, and going through the motions. He was, at the time, directionless.

When he met art teacher Frank Ross, though, Strickland's life turned around. Sure, Ross taught Strickland about art, and sculpting in particular, but more importantly, he gave Strickland hope and taught him about life. The two formed a friendship at the potter's wheel, and that bond and the skills Ross passed on to his young student later became the inspiration for Strickland's social change organization: Manchester Cratfsmen's Guild. With programs in art, music, and performance, Strickland has led MCG to serve his community and bring about change in the young people there for the past thirty years. Strickland has also been at the head of the Bidwell Training Center, which offers vocational training to adults in his community, for more than two decades. A community activist with a mind for business, Strickland has been recognized by Harvard Business School for being a "social entrepreneur," and has spoken at multiple colleges and universities across the country, telling his story and inspiring others to help change their communities.

Ellis Connection:Parent of students in the Classes of 2021 and 2002

Appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2012

Andrew Watson M.D.

Dr. Watson specializes in colorectal and inflammatory bowel disease surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He spent two years working with the American Board of Surgery and the Department of Surgery at UPMC developing a national curriculum for surgical education. Watson focuses on corporate healthcare at UPMC. He is a vice president of the International and Commercial Service Division and is part of IT management for UPMC. He plays a central role in developing telemedicine for UPMC and has worked for the Insurance Services Division in this capacity. He is the medical director of the Center for Connected Medicine, an executive briefing center in Pittsburgh that showcases the future of healthcare, thought leadership, and HIT strategies. M.A., University of OxfordM.D., Columbia UniversitySurgical Fellow at UPMCM.LittF.A.C.S.

Ellis Connection:Parent of a student in the Class of 2022

The Board of Trustees at The Ellis School represents a broad spectrum of expertise from leaders throughout our community and beyond. With a depth and breadth of experience in the worlds of education, women’s issues, business, and non-profit governance, the Board is dedicated to fortifying and cultivating the mission of the School.